R&R
Posted: Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, 2k7 | Tags: appendectomy, Bible, missionary, psalm 23, Richmond, Southern Barton Heights, Urban Comments Off on R&R
Psalm 23
2 -3 ….He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul….
In the first few months of the 2007, KK’s mom had passed, the spare car windows were shot out, Marcellous was in the hospital, then the spare car was stolen, one of the kids decided to steal and misuse my credit card, my company announced it was closing the Richmond offices and were moving them ½ way across the country. It seemed like it was one thing right after the other.
Before KK left for NJ, I had an emergency appendectomy and was in the hospital for a few days. Poor KK…didn’t understand WHAT was going on. First his mom was in the hospital…she died. Then, his dad…a few weeks later…ended up in the hospital, the beginning of one complication after another. Then, I (the only other “family” he has in Richmond) end up there! Thankfully, it was only for a few days. It was yet another one of Satan’s attacks. But, it was a perfect time for God to get my undivided attention. For several weeks, I spent time reading the Bible, praying, meditating, spending time on the front porch. God was definitely doing a work in me. During those weeks, He led me by still waters…and restored my soul. It was a time of rest after a couple of crazy months. It was just me…and God. It was refreshing.
Earlier in the year, I had been restless in my job. It wasn’t challenging to me anymore. So, when the firm announced the move…it was time for me to really reflect on what God wanted from me next in my career. During this time, a lot was stirring in me in regards to my community. Is this the time to make a move? God spoke to me through a number of people independently… “Remain open.” was the consistent message. So, I practiced at remaining open, making no decisions. Why would God lead me to this community and my kids…to my home, only to take me to Missouri? Why would God provide me with a great job, only to have me leave it? My finances provide for me…and for some family members.
Every day, I go to work with what most would call the ‘wealthy’. I came home every day to what some would call ‘the least of these”. There are so many similarities between these 2 groups.
The Lord brought people in my life who were making 6-7 digits a year trying to decide what latest gadget they wanted next, what prep school to send their child, upgrading their house, car, or phone, how to make the next dollar…trying to find happiness.
Then, there are those who have to decide between paying the light bill, providing food for the table, clothes for their children because they outgrew last year’s or buying Christmas gifts. Afraid to introduce the kids to Santa…in fear that their hopes would get too high.
What I had come to learn….is that we ALL are the ‘least of the these’ if we don’t know the Lord. It doesn’t matter what color we are, what socioeconomic group we are in, or where we live. There’s financially poor…then there is spiritually poor. What does the Bible say about the Needle’s Eye? That it is harder for a rich man to get into heaven than it is for a camel to go through the needle’s eye? So…would I rather be poor and have an easier time getting into heaven or rich and a harder time? That is a tough question. Can I be some where in the middle?
But…a question that I will have to ponder in the near future as we face my job elimination. Regardless, we will be richer than MOST of the world….with a roof over our head, food on the table and clean water to drink.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” has a whole new meaning to me as I think about what the future holds. One thing I know…God is in control!
Me and KK...the early morning I took him to Greyhound to stay with his Aunt and sister in NJ
KK...being silly. How can you NOT love this kid?
RAIN…
Posted: Monday, March 1, 2010 Filed under: 2k10, 2k7 | Tags: Jesus, missionary, NOOMA, Northside Missional Community, Rain, Richmond, Urban 1 CommentAgain…
Matthew 11
28. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls.
30. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The last 2 posts told the story of a family who was in distress for a variety of reasons…and things did NOT turn out the way that any of us felt like they would..or the way that we wanted them to. I wanted Sondra to go back to the hospital….to choose life. I have no doubt that is what her children wanted as well. I thought things would be better when KK lived with me. To have some stability…love, etc. But…that too didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to.
But, I am thankful that God was with me all the time. Check out this video…this kinda explains how I was feeling during the time…that is was raining…a lot!
NOOMA Rain | 001
A Barber, a Yoke and a Baptism Part 2
Posted: Sunday, February 28, 2010 Filed under: 2k6, 2k7 | Tags: baptism, barber, barber shop, Commonwealth Chapel, Edify 360, missional, missionary, Southern Barton Heights, Urban Comments Off on A Barber, a Yoke and a Baptism Part 2OK…back to Marcellous…
Me and Marcellous
So…I took Marcellous to Commonwealth Chapel one Saturday night. We had been praying for him for MONTHS. So, it was awesome when some of my prayer warrior friends were able to put a name with a face. Marcellous just couldn’t believe that people greeted him so warmly…and knew his name…and wanted to meet him. He was so full of joy. And…let me tell you…can that man sing!!! What a beautiful voice he has!!! Very impressive!
Marcellous shared this story with me a few days before his baptism. We were in the emergency room during another scare. When he was in the hospital a previous time, he had been in a diabetic coma (i guess!). While in this coma, he was fighting and running…and everything was dark and scary. Then, the skies turned blue and bright and a big hand came down and scooped him up. When he looked up, he saw KK and me like angels. He felt at such peace. It didn’t take him long to realize that it was the hand of God. That he had been fighting for his life…both physically and spiritually…and that God rescued him. Marcellous simply said, “God gave me a 2nd chance, and that He must want something from me”. I said he does…he just wants your heart. Nothing more. God wasn’t like anything that Marcellous knew from the street. There was no scam. There was no hustle. There was no hidden agenda. All God wanted was him, Marcellous. Pure and Simple.
Marcellous quietly asked, “why did he have to wait 52 years?” I had a hard time answering that question. After searching through the Word, I found the perfect scripture in 2nd Peter 3:8-9. Let me summarize it for you…our God is a patient God. 1 day is like a 1000 years and a 1000 years is like 1 day. He is patiently waiting for everyone.
That is so comforting to know. For those of us who are still waiting on our friends and family to know Jesus, we can be encouraged to know that our God is a patient God.
If you are one who doesn’t know Jesus….know that His yoke is light. If you are tired, weary, and burdened, like Marcellous, know that the Lord is patient…and He is waiting for you.
After attending Commonwealth Chapel, Marcellous stated that he wanted to be baptized. I am happy to report, that although Marcellous was weak, his foot was still bandaged, and he was unable to walk, we baptized him in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2007, 1 week before his 53rd birthday. We celebrated with him his new birth and his birthday. What an awesome day!! Marcellous had also reconciled with his family during this time. While he was in the coma, we were able to track them down knowing what little we did about him….and with the help of the internet…we were able to find his sisters!!! I mean really….I couldn’t make this stuff up!!!
Within 2 days, Marcellous had gone to live with his sister in NC. KK now lives with them as well. I still pray for them, as KK adjusts and grieves for his mother…and his youth and his identity.
People used to always tell me – “Marti – You can’t save ’em all!” And that is true. I actually can’t save ANY of them. But…my God can! This keeps me praying for them both, even though we have lost contact over the years. Those months that KK lived with me were HARD…for so many reasons. Time and time again…KK betrayed me and my trust. I cried A LOT during this time. You can even ask my dentist, Dr Jeff Friend. I actually cried in the dental chair one time! I know…it’s ridiculous. But, KK was not heading in the right direction…at all. I still pray that in the middle of whatever craziness KK may go through…that he will remember what it was like to be loved…unconditionally….no matter what.
It makes me think….how in the world must God feel about me. In the midst of all of my craziness….and stupid stuff…bad choices…He still loves me in spite of all that mess. How I must break his heart when I try to do it on my own…and really mess things up. But…He is always there for me. 24/7/365. I am thankful that the hand of God….reaches down and scoops me up! I’m grateful that He is patient with me.
Enjoy the pics of Marcellous, Emmanuel, and Marc. In addition…there’s Riste and Butch who had the honor of baptizing him. Thanks to all my praying friends…who prayed with and for me during this time!!! I couldn’t have made it through without you!!!!
Emmanuel, Marcellous and Marc
Riste, Marcellous and Butch
A Barber, a Yoke and a…. Part 1
Posted: Saturday, February 27, 2010 Filed under: 2k6, 2k7 | Tags: baptism, barber, barber shop, Commonwealth Chapel, Edify 360, missionary, Richmond, Southern Barton Heights, Urban Comments Off on A Barber, a Yoke and a…. Part 1Matthew 11
28. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls.
30. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
One of my kid’s mom, Sondra, ended up in the hospital in mid December 2006. She wasn’t doing too well, fighting a number of medical issues that no one in their late 30’s should have to fight. But, a difficult life and bad decisions had led her to this place. She checked herself out of the hospital. Although I had pleaded with her to go back to MCV, she said that she had some things to do and would go back after the first of the year. Unfortunately, she passed on January 3, 2007. She left behind 4 children from the ages of 13 -18. My kid (KK) was the youngest of the 4, and he lived with his dad, Marcellous.
Some of the youth leaders and I started spending time with KK after school until his dad could quit his 2nd job a few weeks later. Only a week or so went by when Marcellous, also ended up in the hospital, due to complications with diabetes. KK came to live with me. He struggled with school…with life. He had seen more in his short 13 years than I had seen in my life of 44 years. His mom had made many choices to sustain her habits….choices no woman really wants to make but does anyway. KK had seen people get shot. He had seen drugs and alcohol be abused. He was labeled early in life by the school system. His siblings lived with different family members. His older brother chose the street and was in and out of jail for various reasons. I LOVED KK…a lot!
Marcellous was in and out of the hospital with complications. There was a time when we thought we were going to lose him. He rallied, but due to weakness and the need for continued care, Marcellous wasn’t yet prepared to care for his son.
KK went to live with his Aunt in NJ for the summer. Marcellous eventually got stronger. I spent many hours with him…as he no real friends or family. He left his family years ago. Then…one night he accepted the Lord as his Savior. He wanted to go to church, but was still in rehab…learning to walk again. But, he didn’t want to go with his hair long. You see…his fro was about 3 inches high.
I went on a mission to find someone who would cut his hair at the rehab center. I could find NO ONE who was willing to go. Until Marc (you know…my friend at work) introduced me to Emmanuel. Emmanuel has a barber shop called Edify 360 on Hull and Turner. HE was willing to come…but it wouldn’t be until about 9pm at night. I turned him down at first. Not wanting to inconvenience him….come clear across town at that time of night. But…I finally relented. And I am SOOO glad that I did!!!
WOW! Marc, Emmanuel and I rolled up to the rehab center. I had NOOO idea what I was getting into. Neither did Marcellous for that matter! Meanwhile…Emmanuel wasn’t sure what he was doing either. He wasn’t quite sure about me…and my heart. But….after that night…let’s just say…we were all convinced it was a divine appointment!
Emmanuel proceeded to not only cut his hair, but he also encouraged and build him up (note the name of his shop…EDIFY!!). As Marcellous said, “Miss Marti…I didn’t know I was getting a cut AND a sermon!” with both hands in the air…thanking God and Emmanuel. Emmanuel did more than edify Marcellous. He touched my heart that night. How he was an ordinary barber…doing extraordinary things!!! To this day….Emmanuel and I have done this more than once. His wife Marsha says….”When Miss Marti calls, Emmanuel goes!” I LOVE her and their 2 beautiful kids for sharing her husband and their dad with me in the ministry of loving God and loving others. Although…it is NOT unusual for at least one of them to tag along. Emmanuel is modeling what it is to be on mission with Jesus to his family. May God BLESS Edify 360 and the Gayot family!!! (Shameless plug for Edify 360!)
God wasn’t done with Marcellous yet…so neither am I. The story is going to require another post. Stay tuned for part 2. In the meantime…
Go see Emmanuel at Edify 360 and get a great haircut. You just might run into Marc or Louis there. Give ’em a hug from me! I love them all…and you will too!
m2k @ m2h = miss marti’s kids at miss marti’s house
Posted: Friday, February 26, 2010 Filed under: 2k7 | Tags: chllin', missional, Northside Missional Community, Southern Barton Heights Comments Off on m2k @ m2h = miss marti’s kids at miss marti’s houseJust a few pics of the kids from this time period…
Rob and his great smile!
Dude, Lil Mike, Man-Man and Tony
Tony, Lil Mike and Dude
Tony and Dude
Anthony aka Tony....my son that I share with Shonda, his real mama!
Lambs Among Wolves
Posted: Friday, February 26, 2010 Filed under: 2k7 | Tags: Bible, Jesus, Lent, missionary, Southern Barton Heights, Urban 4 Comments
Luke 10:3
“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.”
Mid January of 2007, I was sitting in church on Saturday night. During our closing reflection time, God told me to read Luke 10 again. I was stunned. I asked God, “what in the world for? I have read it umpteen times. What more could I glean from this passage? I had already gotten so much out of it.” But, I had learned the importance of obedience and sat down and read it again. This time, “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves” jumped right off the page at me. “Why are you showing me this? I am safe in my neighborhood. Nothing has happened to me.” I had this sense of security in my neighborhood. I was confident…possibly over confident.
Even Everett, one of my new-found friends, assured me that I was safe.
I was walking home one night from Cindy and Billy’s house, just a short 2 blocks away, when Everett snuck up on me on his bike. I gave a quiet scream…and fussed at him, “You nearly scared me to death! Don’t ever do that again.” Everett quickly said, “No one is going to mess with you. You’re a child of God.” You see, Everett and I had never talked about the Lord. Everett was my handyman. He was the one who cut my grass, shoveled my snow, raked my leaves. Everett is a guy who chose to live in a make-shift shed between 2 bushes behind someone’s house. He picks up odd jobs to help pay for batteries, kerosene, candles, and meals. (Side note, Everett now not only completes odd jobs for me, he is also my friend and brother in Christ. We often share breakfast together on Saturday or Sunday mornings. All the while, talking about the goodness of God and listening to Bobby Jones Gospel. He’ll come over and watch a football game with me and the kids…and now Louis. It serves a two-fold purpose. He’s warm…and he gets to watch the game. He still struggles with what life on the street brings, as he was stabbed in 2007 and spent weeks recovering. But, he continues to Praise the Lord. You will hear more about Everett in the future.)
OK…back to that January night at church. Amazing…that is all I can say. I was on my way home from church that night after reading Luke 10 again, and I decided to check my voicemail. I had several messages, as it turned out, from my neighbors. The messages came at the very time the Lord told me to read Luke 10…again. I had finally gotten a ‘new to me’ car, and my old car sat on the street while I waited for a copy of the title. Four windows of this car, which was sitting by my house, had been shot out. God had prepared me for the news. Praise God! As I listened to the messages…I just laughed. Normally, I would have been angry or scared. But, I knew that God was in control. My reaction was so much different from it would normally be. My neighbors were at my house when I got there. Everett quickly volunteered to sweep up the glass (for free, this time!) We believe that it wasn’t an intentional attack, but more than likely kids playing. But, it was still a bit unsettling.
I had not yet told my parents about my car, because I didn’t want them to worry. About a week or so later, I was visiting Mom and we were chatting in the bedroom. Mom began to cry as she shared with me her worried for my safety. That Micah (one of the pastors at her church) had preached a sermon a few weeks earlier where she became overwhelming concerned for me.
In Matthew 14:22-36…Jesus MADE the disciples get on the boat…and go ahead of him…knowing that rough seas…rough times were ahead. And that He would be glorified. That Peter’s faith (and all who watched!) would be increased. Mom cried as she shared this Word with me. That…the Lord would PUSH me on to the “boat”…my faith and others’ faith would be increased! That God would be glorified in the end. Mom had shared…that as my mom she wanted me to move out the neighborhood, but as my sister in Christ…she encouraged me to stay because she knew that God was in control and He would be glorified.
But, I am getting a little ahead of myself. I knew that Satan didn’t like what was happening in SBH, when the ongoing attacks started in late December of 2006. It was a good Word of encouragement from my Mom. I am thankful that she loves Jesus and brought me up in the ways of the Lord.
Don, Luke, Jesus & Marti
Posted: Thursday, February 25, 2010 Filed under: 2k6, 2k7, Louis and Me! | Tags: calling, harvest, Jesus, missionary, Northside Missional Community, Richmond, Urban 3 CommentsSorry….this is a longer post! But, hang in there!!! It’s a good one! I promise!
Luke 10
- After the Lord…sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.
- He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
God gave me strength during some hard conversations. Some close friends and family members were never super thrilled about me moving into this neighborhood. They loved me and feared for my safety. One close family member gave me a particularly hard time. Finally, I asked him…”If God called me to go to Africa, China or Brazil to do His work, how would you feel?” He quickly agreed that he would fully support it. I respectfully shared with him, that God had called me to the mission field, it just happened to be an urban mission field. I didn’t have to go half-way around the world, but could stay in my own Jerusalem and be about God’s work. If he or anyone else had a problem with that, they needed to take it up with God…not with me. I had to concern myself with obeying my heavenly Father first. No one ever said that following God meant it would be easy. There were friends who refused to come to my house, or only came during the daytime. But, that is why God called me (not them) to live here. At times, being obedient means sacrificing.
I didn’t always see it as sacrificial….because it seemed sooo right. I had a real peace about it. But, I saw it as an opportunity to expose my circle of influence to something they might not have encountered otherwise. My friends and family have grown to accept my choice and love my neighborhood and its residents. They are willing to visit…day or night! My neighborhood was really not THAT different from my previous neighborhood or theirs. It just LOOKED different.
2006 had been a trying year in many ways. I LOVED on these kids….day and night. And their stories and their needs broke my heart. There were many lonely times…where I felt like I was all alone in this…..and I was tired. In retrospect, I was probably trying to do it all alone rather than seeking God’s will and help. The needs of the community were so overwhelming. I found myself only seeing the dealers, the prostitutes, the homelessness, the absentee fathers, the struggling single moms, the addicts, the guys hanging out on street corners doing a whole lot of nothing. Trying to be a light in the darkness. As a reminder…It’s interesting…in looking back, my journal wasn’t as full as it normally was. Indicating to me now, that I probably wasn’t praying and listening to God as much as I should have.
In December of 2006, a group of us from church were meeting for lunch. Rob, my pastor, had brought this group together to encourage us as Christians in workplaces throughout the city. This is where I first got to know Don Coleman… Pastor Don. I was sharing the story of my neighborhood, and work. Don gave me a Word…Luke 10:1-7.
1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. 7Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
It had been a year, almost to the day, since Kevin (remember Kevin…the bone God tossed me when I prayed for my future husband?) had come into my life. I had not talked with Kevin but once or twice since that day. But, I had meditated on Deuteronomy 8 many times. Now, Don gives me Luke. Being a quick study, I knew to take this seriously. After meditating on this Word for weeks, reading it over-and-over again, by mid January, 2007, I felt sure of its intent for me.
– God was reminding me that he still hadn’t forgotten about me and my singleness, that he had the other ½ of my pair out there somewhere, and we would be in ministry together. God had sent me (and some day my other ½) to SBH in preparation for Jesus ‘showing up’. I needed NOT to pray for my future husband….but to pray for the other half of my pair….my partner in the ministry. If it happened to be my husband…Lord, THAT would be the icing on the cake!
– I was right where I was supposed to be…at work and at home. The harvest was plentiful…and the laborers were few. I had been called to ‘be Jesus’ to people in my life.
– My house…was a ‘House of Peace’. Confirming that it was God’s house…not mine and that I was not to ‘force’ my Peace on anyone.
I was about to find out that there was more in that Word than I thought…..
Miss Marti's House 